April 2019

04/30/2019

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. If participating feel free to leave your link in the comments.

This week’s buzz topic:

Waiting on Wednesday: Do you participate? Do you read the books you highlight?

Waiting on Wednesday or WOW is a meme that’s been around for years. When I started blogging in 2011, it was one of the most popular memes for book bloggers. Waiting on Wednesday was originally hosted by Jill@ Breaking the Spine. Not sure what happened to Jill, I pulled up her blog when writing this post to find the last time she posted was in 2016, her last post was a WOW. No goodbye, nothing.

Since then, there have been many spinoffs on Waiting on Wednesday. Basically, bloggers spotlight a book they are excited to read.

I admit, I haver never participated in WOW. In the beginning, I considered being part of the meme, but I always seemed to have plenty of content to fill my days. That doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy reading other people’s posts.

For me, the WOW posts are often times an introduction to a book or author I haven’t read before. I especially enjoy WOW posts from bloggers who go off the beaten path, those bloggers who select books that aren’t well known. I am always on the hunt for something unique and different.

These days since not as many bloggers are participating in the meme, I think there is more diversity in the books selected versus a few years ago when two hundred plus bloggers joined in each week. Many had the same book featured, and lots of times, the books picked where the hot, must have new releases that everyone was coveting.

I think the Waiting on Wednesday posts are a nice shake up in the week, and a great way to spotlight books that are on the horizon.

Perhaps some day when I don’t have enough content prepped, I will consider joining in.

Now I am curious as to how many of you get around to reading the books you share on your WOW posts?

04/29/2019

A sweeping, multi-layered romance with a divine twist, by the Printz Honor-winning author of The Passion of Dolssa, set in the perilous days of World Wars I and II.

It's 1917, and World War I is at its zenith when Hazel and James first catch sight of each other at a London party. She's a shy and talented pianist; he's a newly minted soldier with dreams of becoming an architect. When they fall in love, it's immediate and deep--and cut short when James is shipped off to the killing fields.

Aubrey Edwards is also headed toward the trenches. A gifted musician who's played Carnegie Hall, he's a member of the 15th New York Infantry, an all-African-American regiment being sent to Europe to help end the Great War. Love is the last thing on his mind. But that's before he meets Colette Fournier, a Belgian chanteuse who's already survived unspeakable tragedy at the hands of the Germans.

Thirty years after these four lovers' fates collide, the Greek goddess Aphrodite tells their stories to her husband, Hephaestus, and her lover, Ares, in a luxe Manhattan hotel room at the height of World War II. She seeks to answer the age-old question: Why are Love and War eternally drawn to one another? But her quest for a conclusion that will satisfy her jealous husband uncovers a multi-threaded tale of prejudice, trauma, and music and reveals that War is no match for the power of Love.Audio CDPublished March 5th 2019 by Listening LibrarySource: Library

Four and a half stars: An enticing story of love and war with a Greek mythology twist.

World War II is raging across the world, breaking hearts and stealing love. In a hotel room in Manhattan, a trap is laid for a pair of illicit lovers by a jealous husband.Hephaestus snares Aphrodite and Ares in his trap. Aphrodite in answer to the eternal question of why Love and War are drawn together, and in order to get out of Hephaestus snare, tells a tale of love set against the backdrop of World War I. Will thelovers find a happy or ending or lose their loves to the flames of war?

What I Liked:

Lovely War was an addictive story of love and war that I couldn’t put down. I loved this tale of two sets of lovers brought together and then torn apart during World War I, plus the added in twist of having the story told by Greek Gods, made it even more fun. Loved this tale.

Hazel and James’ tale immediately snagged my heart. The two catch a glimpse of each other at a party in London. Hazel is a shy pianist who has never had a beau. James can’t take his eye off her. The problem is, the two meet one week before James is set to ship out to the trenches of World War I. Their tale is one of fate, love, determination, heartaches and setbacks. I couldn’t help but to cheer for this pair. Would their love survive the first Great War?

The second set of lovers faced even larger obstacles. Aubrey Edwards is an American musician set across the sea as part of an all African American infantry. Falling in love is the furthest thing from Aubrey’s mind, that is until he meets the lovely Collette. Collette is a young Belgian girl who has already survived terrible heartbreak and loss. When the two meet, a fire is lit, but how can their love weather not only the war but also the hatred and prejudice aimed at a white woman and a black man in love? I liked that the author included this multiracial romance. It was interesting to see the stark contrast in the way the Europeans viewed the African American man as opposed to the way they were viewed in the United States.

I was enraptured by both of the love stories. Each character faces harsh circumstances, loss, heartache and setbacks. My heart was in my throat for a good portion of the book as I was completely invested in the characters and romances.

This book is set during World War I. I loved learning more about this era. The author does a wonderful job in recreating the turbulence of the period. I especially loved that she included the prejudice the African American soldiers faced. I learned a great deal while reading this story.

The inclusion of the Greek Gods added a fun little twist to the story. It was fun to learn more about Aphrodite and Hephaestus and their relationship.

The ending is perfect. It concludes the story. No cliffhanger or unfinished story lines. It was just right.

I highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end of the book. There is plenty of informative information at the end, including the author’s research on the African American soldiers in the war, from their roles and heroism to the backlash and prejudice they faced back home. I also appreciated that she used real life people in some parts of the story.

I listened to the audiobook version. I thought the audio was very well done. Each character has a different narrator, which adds to the story. I also appreciated the music clips.

And The Not So Much:

I was excited when the book opened during WWII. I was expecting to get part of the story told against the backdrop of WWII. Sadly, there is really nothing regarding the second war. I was hoping for storylines set during WWII.

I wish there was a little more information on the views of Europeans and multiracial relationships. It seemed that these types of romances weren’t taboo like they were in the U.S. I thought this was forward thinking for the time period, and I wished that it had been expanded on more so I could have a better grasp of racial relations in Europe.

I finished wanting more on the relationship between Hephaestus and Aphrodite.

Lovely War was a unique and captivating story set during the tumultuous final portion of World War I. This is a tale of two different couples falling in love during war. There is also a clever twist involving the Greek Gods. If you are on the hunt for something different, this is definitely one to check out.

I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

04/27/2019

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

I am still having trouble commenting on blogger blogs. I haven’t had time to dig into the matter further. I have done everything on my end to try and fix it. It is driving me nuts! I have been leaving comments for all of you who have blogger blogs on Bloglovin, so hopefully you are finding my comments. So frustrating!!!

Another week slipped by. I am loving the warmer weather and more sunshine, but this time of year is always hectic. My kids are on the countdown to summer. They have six weeks or so. I can’t believe that summer is around the corner. Yikes! Time to get organized.

We had a busy couple of weeks. Last week was field trips, and this week we had warm weather and lots of outdoor time. Of course, Saturday is supposed to be the one rainy day, but that’s okay because more sunshine is in the forecast.

I am falling behind on my reviews because I haven’t been getting in as much reading time. Basketball playoffs and hanging out outside is chomping into my reading time. Hopefully I can catch up.

04/26/2019

It's the last weekend of April. May arrives next week. That means graduations and the start of summer. Are you ready for all the goodness that summer has to offer? I love summertime! I love the warm weather, the sunshine, outdoor activities, vacations and summer reading. If you need help picking out the perfect vacation read, I can help. I have some great suggestions from next week's plethora of new books hitting shelves. What will you pack for your trip? Tell me about your weather in the comments. (Click on covers for details).

04/25/2019

A new collection of four never-before-published stories from Stephen King.

1922

The story opens with the confession of Wilfred James to the murder of his wife, Arlette, following their move to Hemingford, Nebraska onto land willed to Arlette by her father.

Big Driver

Mystery writer, Tess, has been supplementing her writing income for years by doing speaking engagements with no problems. But following a last-minute invitation to a book club 60 miles away, she takes a shortcut home with dire consequences.

Fair Extension

Harry Streeter, who is suffering from cancer, decides to make a deal with the devil but, as always, there is a price to pay.

A Good Marriage

Darcy Anderson learns more about her husband of over twenty years than she would have liked to know when she stumbles literally upon a box under a worktable in their garage.Audiobook, Unabridged, 368 pagesPublished November 9th 2010 by Simon & Schuster AudioSource: Library

A collection of four short stories from the master does not disappoint. As a long time “Constant Reader” of King, I am kicking myself for not reading this sooner. It released way back in 2010, but for whatever reason, I never got around to it until now. This collection of short stories, in my opinion, is one of King’s best. These stories explore the darker parts of humanity, those dark bits we keep hidden from the world. Bringing forth the dark secrets within makes the stories even more frightening, especially the second and fourth tales. As with any King story, expect complex characters, creepy storyline and masterful storytelling. I devoured this book.

Here is a run down of the stories:

1922:

This is a story about a farmer who takes matters in his own hand when he and his wife disagree over a piece of land left to her. Wilfred ends up murdering his wife to prevent her from selling the land to large hog butchering corporation. After the murder, things begin to fall apart for Wilfred. Is he really being haunted by his dead wife and her minion of rats or is it a guilty conscience? This story is not for the faint of heart.

Big Driver:

This is the frightening tale of a cozy mystery writer takes a short cut home at the behest of a local librarian who promises it is safer than the interstate. On the way home, she runs into some road debris. What follows is a horrendous encounter. Tess decides to take matters into her own hands. Vigilante justice along with shocking revelations made this one a page turner. My hesitation with this story was that I was left wanting to know more about the librarian and her role.

Fair Extension:

This story is classic King. It reminds me of Needful Things. This is a tale about a man afflicted with stomach cancer who has a meeting with a man who promises him a fair extension. Basically, this is your deal with the devil story. My only complaint with this one is that it was too open ended.

A Good Marriage:

This was the best of the bunch for me. A loving marriage of 27 years changes when Darcy trips on a box in the garage while looking for batteries. What she finds completely changes everything she thought she knew about the man she married and lived with for all these years. How could she not know she was living with a monster? A frightening story because it once again instills in the reader the knowledge that you can’t ever really truly know someone. A riveting and horrifying story that will leave you thinking on it for days to come.

Full Dark No Stars is a masterful collection of short stories by the brilliant Mr. King. This book is all about the darker parts of humanity, and Mr. King spares no punches when it comes to showing the darkness within. Grab this one and settle in for some frighteningly good tales. The first and third have a paranormal twist, while the second and fourth stories are truly frightening because they can and do really happen. I highly recommend the audiobook version if you can get your hands on it. The narrators are brilliant. Don’t miss this collection if you are a fan of King.

I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this reviews.

04/24/2019

A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book -- a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-first birthday, they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and very little to go on, "Nell" sets out to trace her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell's death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. A spellbinding tale of mystery and self-discovery, The Forgotten Garden will take hold of your imagination and never let go.Kindle Edition, 660 pagesPublished March 13th 2009 by AtriaSource: Library

Three stars: A sprawling family mystery that falters because of unlikeable characters and too many story threads.

In 1913 a dockmaster in Australia finds a young girl sitting on the dock alone with only a small suitcase and no identification. The girl is four years old, she doesn’t know her name or where she came from. Not knowing what else to do, he takes her home. Nell becomes an answer to a prayer for the man and his wife who have been unable to have their own children. For years, the man keeps the secret. Then on Nell’s twenty first birthday, shortly before she is to be married, he tells her the truth. From that moment on, Nell’s life begins to falter. She distances herself from her loving adopted family in order to find out who she is. Her quest takes years and leads her across the ocean to England. Unfortunately, Nell ends up abandoning her search in order to care for her granddaughter. Years later after Nell’s death, her granddaughter Cassandra learns of her grandmother’s secret. Cassandra picks up the trail and uncovers some shocking secrets. Who was Nell and why was she abandoned?

What I Liked:

This is my third book by Kate Morton. I have to say, Ms. Morton always manages to write sprawling family mysteries that take place over decades. Her tales arecaptivating and suspenseful. I was sucked into this one from the beginning, and I eagerly followed the clues to learn the secrets.

If you haven’t read a book by Kate Morton, you need to be prepared for many characters and lots of shifts in time. This story moves from the early 1900s in England to the the early 2000s. There are many people to keep track of and lots of story lines, but eventually, you will find how they intersect. I enjoy the shifts in time, and I always appreciate the attention to detail in the time periods.

With so many characters it takes time to latch on to a favorite, but luckily in this one, I liked Nell and Eliza. I found Eliza’s tale to be particularly moving, and I was cheering for her the whole time.

This book is full of secrets, some more shocking than others. I was surprised a time or two for sure, especially when the truth is finally revealed about Nell. Big props to Ms. Morton for keeping me guessing.

The ending ties up the majority of the story lines. Most of the questions are answered and the mystery is solved.

And The Not So Much:

I was invested in this book from the beginning, but by the time I reached the end, I was left feeling down. The conclusion was a letdown. Plus, I finished the book and realized that I didn’t like the majority of the characters, especially the people surrounding Eliza. Rose and her mother were terrible. Nathan had no spine. Eliza’s uncle was downright creepy. I couldn’t quite figure out what his deal was. I think he might have been a lecherous old man. Yuck. Just thinking about these characters makes my skin crawl.

Nell is an important piece of the story, but she dies in the first chapter. I wish that Nell could have been alive to help solve her own mystery. It kind of took something out of the story. I also struggled with the way Nell reacted when she learned the truth. Why did she feel the need to push away her adoptive family?

I was left scratching my head when it came to Eliza’s mother and her brother. There was something not quite right about the brother’s relationship with his sister. The author hinted at something insidious, but it is never fully revealed why Georgianna ran away. Did her brother drive her away or was it because of the sailor she loved? I wanted more of Georgian’s story line, I felt like there were holes in the story.

Finally, there is a little romance that occurs when Cassandra goes to England. I felt like the romance was thrown in there. It lacked depth and development. I honestly wish more time had been spent on the romance because it was one of the only bright spots at the end of the book.

The Forgotten Garden was a book that sucked me in with its drawn out family mystery full of secrets and betrayals. I was completely invested in the story, but when I finished I was let down by the revelations. The story left me feeling cold and yucky. I didn’t like the way everything played out, and I especially didn’t like the majority of the characters. I wanted to be left feeling uplifted, but instead I was depressed. Borrow this one from the library if you are thinking of reading it. At over six hundred pages, it might be worth skipping.

I borrowed a copy of this book from the library. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

04/23/2019

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post here on Rainy Day Ramblings where I discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. If participating feel free to leave your link in the comments.

Here is this week’s question:

Do you like getting unsolicited books in the mail?

When I started blogging eight years ago, I thought I made it when I received my first unsolicited book in the mail. I was sure that I was going to start receiving lots more of those elusive, hard to get advanced copies showing up on my doorstep.

Reality check: No, I didn’t get a bunch of unsolicited, hard to get ARCs randomly showing up on my doorstep. Every once in awhile, I got lucky, but for the most part, I started receiving books that I hadn’t heard of randomly from publishers.

At first, I was excited and I eagerly dove into these books blindly. What I found was that occasionally I found a book that I enjoyed and liked, but more often than not, I wasn’t always thrilled with the books I received and read.

In fact, after awhile many of these books were not a good fit for me at all, and I was forcing myself to read them because I wanted to continue to receive books.

Worse was when I received books and didn’t read them. I felt guilty.

Finally, I learned to not stress over the unsolicited books. If they publishers sent them out, and I didn’t want them or I didn’t read them, it wasn’t my fault. Once I stopped reading these books, they stopped coming, which in all honesty was a relief. No more guilt!

I still get a book here or there in the mail, and sometimes I read them. If I don’t, I donate them to my library.

On a totally unrelated side note.... be careful about what you get in the mail. Last year, I received a package in the mail, it looked like a fun kids book. It was a graphic novel with cartoon illustrations and it was about hockey. I handed it to my 8 year old son. A few weeks later, he showed the book to my husband. The book was full of curse words and risqué topics. Not a kids book at all! Lesson learned!!

Tell me, are you excited when you get an unsolicited book in the mail?

Next week’s question:

Waiting on Wednesday: Do you participate? Do you read the books you highlight?

04/22/2019

Aspiring costume designer Katie gave up everything in her divorce to gain custody of her fearful, faithful rescue dog, Barkimedes. While she figures out what to do next, she heads back to Florida to live with her grandmother, Nan.

But Katie quickly learns there’s a lot she doesn’t know about Nan—like the fact that in her youth Nan was a mermaid performer in a roadside attraction show, swimming and dancing underwater with a close-knit cast of talented women. Although most of the mermaids have since lost touch, Katie helps Nan search for her old friends on Facebook, sparking hopes for a reunion show. Katie is up for making some fabulous costumes, but first, she has to contend with her crippling fear of water.

As Katie’s college love Luca, a documentary filmmaker, enters the fray, Katie struggles to balance her hopes with her anxiety, and begins to realize just how much Bark’s fears are connected to her own, in this thoughtful, charming novel about hope after loss and friendships that span generations.Paperback, 352 pagesExpected publication: April 23rd 2019 by Atria BooksSource: Publisher

Four and a half stars: A beautiful book about conquering your fears, overcoming the past and finding a bright new future.

Katie chatters all the way to Florida to her beloved dark, Barkimedies. Katie is heading home after her divorce to live with her Grandma Nan. Katie has no idea what she will do, but she and Bark hope to do it together. Once she arrives home, Katie and Bark are still crippled with fear and anxiety, but they slowly begin to overcome their fears. Katie heals by sewing costumes for Nan and her friends so they can relive their glory days as mermaids. Bark takes baby paw steps as he learns to be a better dog. Will Katie and Bark be able to escape their fears?

What I Liked:

I went into this one expecting it to be a nice romance, but I got so much more. This really isn’t a romance at all. Instead it is a book about conquering your fears, moving forward, finding your way and most of all about love and friendship. I loved this book.

This is a book about growth. I loved following Katie as she worked to overcome her past. In the beginning she is a mess. Slowly as Katie spends time with her grandma and her friends, she begins to work through her fears and find her courage. It is a slow process, she fights hard, and in the end, she makes significant progress. It was a joy to watch Katie grow and evolve.

I adored Nan and her friends. I hope when I am an old lady, I will have a zest for life like Nan. It was so fun seeing Nan reconnect with her old friends and relive her past. I loved following the women as they created the documentary. Such a joy.

There is a tiny bit of romance, but like the rest of the book, it is more focused on friendship and healing. I liked seeing the old friends reconnect and find that spark again.

Bark is a treat. At first, he is this dog who has severe anxiety issues, but just like Katie, he learns to overcome his fears with some extra love. He was the perfect companion for Katie.

The book ends on a positive note that left me feeling good. I hated to let go, but I was thrilled to see how far Katie had come. This book was a joy from beginning to end.

And The Not So Much:

Even though I was not disappointed at all that this wasn’t a romance, I wish that there had been more development with the romance. I wanted to see it unfold more.

I felt a bit cheated when it came to the big finale of the mermaid documentary. After all the buildup, I wanted to see it in action, but that doesn’t happen.

Swimming for Sunlight is a delightful book. This is a book about growing, changing, overcoming fear and friendship and love. There is so much to love about this book. It is a lovely, positive feel good read that left me wanting more! Definitely read this one!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.

04/20/2019

The Sunday Post is a weekly post hosted by The Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to share all the news and highlights on your blog for the past and upcoming weeks. Head over to Kimberly's for details and to link up!

First, I have had the worst time trying to comment on Blogger blogs this week. I have tried to comment almost every day this week, and thanks to the latest Apple update to all my software on my devices, I can't comment on Blogger blogs. It has only the option to comment with Google account or add your URL. I have logged into my Google accounts, but it doesn't log me into the blogs, when I try to use my name and URL, the comments disappear. This has happened several times before and it usually gets resolved but it is so frustrating. I have visited your blogs and tried to comment! Argh!

Happy Easter! I hope you all are having a lovely Easter weekend. We had a quiet one here. Just the four of us. The kids are ten and eight now so we skipped the egg hunts. I did do a series of clues that led them to one big Easter egg filled with candy. That was so much easier and fun. Sadly, we are beyond the age of the Easter bunny and Santa Claus, which isn't so bad because it was getting harder and harder. My kids take after me when I asked them what they wanted for Easter they said books and some spending money. Easy enough. I am always down with the books! Hopefully the Easter bunny left you all some books!

We still had quite a bit of rain this past week, but we did manage to get a couple of dry sunny days, which was much needed after almost two straight weeks of rain. This weekend is supposed to be warm and sunny before rain returns on Monday. Enjoy it while it's here!

04/19/2019

How can we be nearing the end of April already? Spring is in full swing, and school is ramping up for all of the end of the year activities. That means summer is right around the corner. Time to start planning summer vacations and summer reading. Have you picked out books that you would like to read this summer? If you need help, I have all the highlights from next week's new book releases. What will grab your eye this week? Tell me in the comments, and share your weather forecast. (Click on covers for details).

Forecast April 21st-27th

Forecast for Portland, Oregon:

Saturday: H 66 L 44 Partly Sunny Sunday: H 65 L 47 Partly Sunny

After almost two weeks of rain, some sunshine is in the forecast. I can't wait!